Freret sandwich shop secures permit to open

A new Freret Street sandwich shop is pushing back its opening date after encountering some permitting issues.

Liberty Cheesesteak co-owners Michael Casey and Joseph Seremet have taken over the space Dat Dog occupied before that business moved across the street. They have held a series of test openings since Feb. 19 and are set to officially open around March 9.

Casey and Seremet met while students at Tulane University, leasing the location last year. They had originally planned to open in time for the Super Bowl but weren’t able to get their occupational license until Ash Wednesday.

Casey said today Liberty Cheesesteak will hold another soft opening, serving lunch and dinner on Thursday, while they continue to test out the kitchen.

The stretch of Freret Street between Jefferson and Napoleon avenues is now home to 14 food and drink locations, 12 retail businesses and 33 service businesses, according to the New Freret Business Association. Although the corridor has experienced tremendous growth over the past two years, Casey it’s still lacking in late-night food destinations and hopes Liberty Cheesesteak will help close that gap.